Dr. Shaffer, Professor of History at West Texas A&M University, will be visiting the Goodnight Ranch to reflect on our nation's 250th anniversary and its connection to our region.
In Dr. Shaffer’s own words, “The United States is a creedal nation, a country founded on ideas laid out in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Even before the Revolution, Americans saw themselves as a special people. John Winthrop described New England as a "city upon a hill" and told his followers that the world was watching them. That idea has been carried down throughout our history and was echoed by leaders like Lincoln and Reagan. The War for Independence was waged largely for ideological reasons, as American Patriots argued that the British government was taking away their sacred natural rights. To describe the new nation to the world, Jefferson wrote the Declaration, famously declaring that all men were created equal. These ideas are codified in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, which creates a democratic republic and enshrines the fundamental rights of the people. While it is true that we have not always lived up to our founding ideas, they still guide us as we celebrate our 250th anniversary. Charles and Molly Goodnight carried these ideas with them when they settled the Panhandle in the late 19th century. They were heirs to this creed, as are we. The founding ideas are our legacy and our most important inheritance.”
This FREE lecture will be followed by a self-guided tour of the Goodnight Home. This event is presented as part of Texas America250, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.